Koroipita Community Development Construction
Coordinator | Lauren
Coordinator | Lauren
Book with Flex Option!
Choose new departure dates or change to a different volunteer program at no extra costs.
Highlights
Assist local builders to build affordable, cyclone-safe homes
Provide an extra set of hands in numerous areas, helping to ease the workload on local staff
Build houses from scratch, according to abilities
Stay with a local host family for an authenic and welcoming experience!
Help to complete the stage 4 development plan of 150 affordable, cyclone-safe homes within a fully serviced township community.
This volunteer program is especially suitable for:
Age 18+
Singles
Couples
Groups
On this project we work with a local Charitable Trust, who create solutions to the challenges of poverty, rural-urban drift, and the increasing need to re-settle climate change refugees.
The idea is that local families are offered affordable, cyclone-safe homes within a fully serviced township community. It is mandatory for the children in these communities to go to school, with the residents being encouraged to take environmental and community responsibility.
Koroipita community is currently home to 263 families. With funding support from the New Zealand Aid Programme and Ministry of Housing and Community Development, we are now going to build an additional 105 homes as part of Stage 4 development.
We are in need of volunteers to help complete this program. This is a fantastic project for group bookings (ideally teams of 6-8 people, up to 12). Working as part of a team, you can really see progress in a short amount of time. Individual volunteers are of course also very welcome!
All skill levels are welcome. Teams must be reasonably fit and be prepared for anything. Flexibility is more important than fitness but there is a limit, as there is manual labour involved.
You will be supervised at all times by skilled local builders, so there is no need to worry if you have no experience in construction work.
Safety Gear
You are expected to bring and wear safety boots with a STEEL CAP, to wear at the construction site at all times. Hard hats are provided and there will be a first aid kit available onsite.
Tools
All building tools are provided; however, we encourage you to bring your own hammers (these can be bought once arrived), and you are welcome to leave these behind if you choose to do so. We also welcome donation of tools. Please check with the local team for what is needed.
Transport
We have two trucks available onsite. It can be used to transport volunteers to and from and around the site during the day.
Water
You will need to drink lots of water from the start of the day until sundown. Do not wait until you get thirsty or dehydrated. We practice recycling in the community so please dispose your bottles in designated bins. We also recommend bringing hand sanitiser. There are clean toilets accessible at Koroipita.
Mosquitoes
Koroipita is generally a clean community however, few mosquitoes are visible in the daytime. It will be wise to bring mosquito repellent.
Medical
Lautoka Hospital is not far from the site. The team will have all emergency contacts available onsite. If you are taking any prescription medications, please bring them along with you.
Insurance
Insurance is only covered for local workers; we DO NOT have cover for short-term volunteers. This is something you may want to factor into your insurance.
Security on site
We will assign you a safe lockable storage where you may keep all your personal belongings. It is important to be careful with cameras, wallets and other items while at Koroipita. Inevitably, all kinds of people wander in and out of the site.
Volunteers must be careful with tools and valuables, even at the job area. DO NOT leave valuables on site when going to lunch. The security process for tools and materials will be explained at the briefing.
Security Tips:
- Bring the cheapest watch you own
- Avoid bringing a laptop or iPad
- Do not bring expensive cameras – if you want to bring one take extreme caution.
- Avoid expensive boots, jackets, backpacks
- Booze
- You may bring your own liquor, wine, beer or kava. The Northern Club is open every day….but don’t overdo it….there is work to do in the sun.
Gifts
We request volunteers NOT to bring donations or gifts for individual residents. If you want to donate, please talk to our team members who will provide the best guidance. Avoid sharing personal contacts or social media details with community residents. We have several pool funds which are established to support the neediest families in the community. These are Shelter Fund, Welfare Fund, Education Fund and Health Fund.
Photos
You are welcome to take pictures and share it on social media however, prior consent is needed from individuals, particularly when photographing children. You may also invite local media to cover the story, however, please discuss with our team to ensure the correct information and statistics are published.
We look forward to welcoming your team and greatly appreciate and value your contribution and generosity.
Location
Lautoka, located 20 min north of Nadi, is a lovely and safe working class harbour city with many areas to explore (eg. hiking trails, mud pools etc). You will be spending time in the working class areas where the genuine needs exist.
Typical day
Typically, our work hours are from 8 am to 4.33 Monday to Friday. We also allow flexibility for work on weekends to accommodate volunteer teams.
On arrival volunteers will meet at the community hall and will go through a compulsory orientation which involves a site tour and power point briefing on the following topics:
- Project history and relevance
- Construction briefing
- Safety briefing
- Child safeguarding protocols – you will be expected to sign our Child Safe Guarding Code of Conduct.
- The above briefing is to avoid any causalities on site and to ensure that we maintain construction and community standards.
Free-time activities
Weekends are always free for relaxing or sightseeing of your choice. Our ground operators will help you organize additional trips with special (non tourist) rates which can be paid directly in local currency.
Volunteers based in Nadi & Lautoka can choose from a wide variety of options with Nadi being the main tourist hub for Fiji and the Fijian Islands.
Volunteers based in the Coral Coast can spend the weekends exploring Suva, visiting Colo-I-Suva or Mosquito Island and searching the craft and produce markets in Suva’s town centre. From Pacific Harbour you can organize activities, such as kayaking, white-water rafting, shark feeding, jet ski tours, zip lining and diving.
Water Sports
Swimming
Sightseeing
Diving/
Snorkling
Snorkling
Shopping/
Souvenirs
Souvenirs
Climbing
Hiking
Museum/
Opera
Opera
Yoga/
Meditation
Meditation
Requirements
In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.
You need to speak English (basic level)
No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.
no experience required, although skilled worksmen (and women) are highly regarded!
Your helping hand will be required on
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
What's Included
Accommodation (Home Stays - Sharing with other volunteers)
2 meals p/day (Breakfast & Dinner)
Filtered drinking water, coffee & tea daily
In country 24/7 coordination & emergency assistance
Fundraising support
University course credits (where applicable)
Certificate of Completion
Flight Arrivals into Nadi - Sat/Sun arrivals
After passing customs at Nadi International Airport, the arrival gate is directly after the bag checking area. When you travel through the main doors, to your right is the arrival waiting area with seats. An IVI Fiji representative will be waiting for you here and holding a sign with your name on it. All the info will be in the welcome pack!
Enjoy living like a Fiji local. You’ll have your own single or twin share room within private, clean and safe western style homes. You will have a place to store your personal belongings, a private bathroom and toilet (where possible – not all placements include this), a fan and single mattress or double/queen if sharing with your partner. Some home stays have self contained flats separate from the main residence. You can choose this option if desired. Internet is usually not included with most volunteers purchasing a temporary 3G plan for their own device.
Meals are included and served at the host family for breakfast and dinner with lunch on site. A typical day may consist of (subject to variation):
Breakfast – cereal, bread, butter etc, tea, coffee, milo. Volunteers can make their own eggs should they wish.
Lunch – Volunteers to prepare their own sandwich. Tuna, cold meat, salad, eggs. Some prefer to take left over dinner from the night before for lunch.
Dinner – Cooked meal (eg. stews, soups, curries, fish, roast vegetables, taro, sweet potato, bread, rice etc.
Limited access at the project site
Visa, flights, travel insurance or vaccinations are NOT included in the program fees.
The nearest airport is Nadi International Airport (NAN) in Nadi. We assist you to find cheap flights to Fiji.
Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Fiji provides security and is a plus to have.
If you are intending to volunteer in Fiji you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Fiji.
Dates & Fees
NO CREDIT CARD FEES
Details on arrival
Program starts every Monday. Arrivals on Sat/ Sun. If arriving on Sat, an extra night is charged.
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
1 - 12 weeks
Program fees
1 week
(min. stay)
$670
2 weeks
$830
3 weeks
$990
4 weeks
$1,170
8 weeks
$1,820
12 weeks
(max. stay)
$2,470
Average fees
$438
/week
Please note that the above shown program fees are estimated.
Involvement Volunteers IVI
will let you know about the final price during your application process.
The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.
Your final payment will be agreed with Involvement Volunteers IVI during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.
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Koroipita Community Development Construction
Help to complete the stage 4 development plan of 150 affordable, cyclone-safe homes within a fully serviced township community.
$438/week
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